On the 20th of June, The Hip Hop community was shook to its foundation at the death of Mobb Deep member Prodigy. Prodigy and his rhyme partner Havoc were pioneers in their very own right and made incredible contributions to the rise of the East Coast hardcore rap in the 90s.
As a duo they released multiple projects and songs that cemented their legendary status in Hip-Hop. From the classic sophomore LP “Infamous” to “Infamy” and a slew of singles/B-sides, Havoc provided dark, grimy beats that helped accentuate the duo’s visual story telling from a stark reality point of view. Although both emcees on more occasions deliver intriguing verses, Prodigy is probably the more intense of the two. Armed with a slightly raspy vocal tone that commands an air of respect on every listen, Prodigy’s intense lyrics are often used as the back bone for many tracks.
Today we look at the different songs from other artists that utilized Prodigy’s vocals in their choruses.
1) Jay Z – “D’Evils”
Producer: Dj Premier
Album: Reasonable Doubt
Jay phoned Primo and told him exactly what he wanted on the chorus. A line from Prodigy and another from Snoop Dogg‘s “Murder Was The Case” and the result is haunting. Jay hasn’t made a dark record like this since then.
Prodigy’s vocals: “Illuminati wants my mind, soul and my body…”
Song: LL Cool J: “Who shot ya remix”
Medina Green, Mos Def – “Cross Town Beef”
Producer: Posdnous
Album: Sound Bombing II
Mos Def’s brother’s group had a run in the late 90s but this song off the classic Rawkus’s Sound Bombing series is one of their best efforts. The story telling is fresh and compelling enough to check out their projects.
The choppy Posdnous produced song may not be mind blowing in this day and age but it works well with the theme of this song where an ordinary situation turns deadly from an imminent beef. The hook crafted by mos def utilizes P’s lines to sum up the results.
Prodigy’s vocals: “Getting close to God in a tight situation/ When the slugs penetrate you feel the burning sensation…”
Song: “Shook Ones pt II”
Masta Ace – Conflict ft. Guru (Remix)
Producer: DJ Paul Nice
Album:Underground HipHop Essentials Compilation
Another lost gem from MA off the’ Underground HipHop Essential Compilation‘. Tales of conflict from different views with similar results.
Prodigy’s vocals: “Speak the wrong words man and you will get touched...”
Song: Shook ones pt II
Dilated People: “Worst comes to worst”
Producer: Alchemist
Album:Expansion Team
Arguably one of the top 4 Dilated Peoples song. he Alchemist cooks up a head nodder of a beat equipped with this eternal line from P.
Prodigy’s vocals:: “Worst comes to worst my peoples comes first...”
Song: “Survival of the Fittest”
Big Pun- “Beware”
Producer: Juju
Album: ‘Capital Punishment’
A lotta young cats will never understand HOW dope Pun was. He was essentially the new Biggie (yeah I said it). he could craft radio friendly jams(“Still not a player“, “Punish Me” and hardcore gems like this Juju produced song “Beware”.
This grim song came with face crunching verbal punches and a threat from Prodigy.
Prodigy’s vocals:- “I gave you fair warning- beware, beware…”
Song: Shook ones
O.C. : “O- Zone”
Producer: Buckwild
Album: ‘Word….Life’
O.C’s debut is a classic by all standards and I must say his vocals are a staple for many hip-hop producers(look up “Times Up”. This mellow boom bap track crafted by Buckwild made use of P’s unique vocals from the obscure Shook Ones
Prodigy’s vocals: “The first time will be your last Earth memories..”
Song: Shook ones
Ice T – “Forced to do dirt”
Producer: n/a
Album:’Return Of The Real VI’
Ice T’s 96 album saw the OG return to true form and he brings it to full closure on this song(not sure who produced it).
Prodigy’s vocals” “…So niggas is forced to do dirt...”
Song: Shook ones
Group Home : “Tha Realness”
Producer: Dj Premier
Album:Livin’ Proof
This project made in ’95 made Christiana Aguilera recruit primo for her project in the mid 00s. This was the project that saw Primo in rare form when it comes to the beats- this was when premier became DJ PREMIER.
To be fair, the rapping wasn’t all that bad. Lil Dap and the Nutcracker are actually nice, ok maybe to a smaller degree- I mean it could be better but I’m pretty sure you have heard worst.
As for the hook here, who else can bring that “realness” besides the HNIC’s commanding vocals?
Prodigy’s vocals: “Tha realness…comes equipped...” on other parts of the song
Song:: Shook ones pt II
Fat Joe – “The Crack Attack”
Producer: L.E.S
Album: ‘Don Cartegena’
Fat Joe’s 3rd album produced gems like “John Blaze”, “Don cartagena” and this L.E.S produced banger “The Crack Attack”. Sending shots at his foes and letting them know that this time, he ain’t playing games.
Prodigy’s vocals: “Take these words home and think it through or the next rhyme I write might be about you”
Song: Shook ones pt II
Krumb Snatcha : “Gettin’ Closer To God”
Producer: DJ Premier
Album: n/a
Primo and Krumb Snatcha made grimy banging music and this is no exception. KS talks about being a victim of gun violence and P’s famous line literally puts things in perspective. Once again Primo samples Prodigy and Snoop.
Prodigy’s vocals: “…Getting closer to God in a tight situation”
Song: Shook ones pt II
Ali Vegas – “The Specialist”
Producer: n/a
Album: In Too Deep Soundtrack
The overly slept on Queens rapper Ali Vegas dropped this gem back in 1999. Taken from the soundtrack to the American crime thriller flick “In Too Deep”. He was kicking futuristic bars all over this mellow jazz-esque backdrop and topped it up with a bunch of classic line from Prodigy.
Prodigy’s vocals: “.that’s why your small rhyme bore me/Your store bought rap ain’t shit
Call me the specialist, professional../..that’s why your small rhyme bore me/My category: rap-rap science..””
Song: G.O.D. pt III